Israel’s soccer team beats Albania 2-1, securing spot in 2024 UEFA play-offs

Goals from Shon Weissman and Tai Baribo during match at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium place Israel first in Nations League group

By ToI Staff 25 September 2022, 1:00 am Edit
Israel's players celebrate winning the UEFA Nations League - League B Group 2 - football match between Israel and Albania at the at the Bloomfield Stadium, in Tel Aviv on September 24, 2022. (Jack Guez/AFP)
Israel's players celebrate winning the UEFA Nations League - League B Group 2 - football match between Israel and Albania at the at the Bloomfield Stadium, in Tel Aviv on September 24, 2022. (Jack Guez/AFP)

Israel’s national soccer team on Saturday night beat visiting Albania 2-1, sending it to the top of its group in the UEFA Nations League and guaranteeing it a spot in the 2024 qualifying playoffs.

After a mostly uneventful first half at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium, a long pass from midfielder Gabi Kanichowsky set up Israel’s first goal by Shon Weissman, just one minute into the second half.

But the Albanian team fought back, with Myrto Uzuni scoring on 88 minutes, leaving the teams tied 1-1.

In injury time, at the 92-minute mark, Tai Baribo got Israel’s second goal, securing the victory.

Placing first in League B Group 2 with eight points, Israel automatically is qualified for League A, as well as the UEFA 2024 qualifying play-offs, to be held in Germany.

The play-offs tournament, to be held in March 2024, will decide the final three teams that will play in the UEFA Euro 2024 final tournament in Germany.

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